Ruger American Gen 2 experiences

[Balderdash]

True enough, but fluted barrel on a RA is like sweet rims on a Kia. I'd do a $700 plain Tikka over a $550 fancy Ruger every single time. Function over features.

I got flamed for similar comments sometime back. I have nothing against the RAR's and am happy for those who are having good luck with them, but there's add on's that are trinkety and mostly there to snag the consumer.

 

[K9kodi]

Not being snobby but I cannot recall where in rugers line up does the American fall?

 

[huntsman22]

the cheap end.....

 

[lhbackcountry]

My gen 2 223 has been solid. I also have worked the bolt and dry fired ( oh cardinal sin) as many if not more times then I’ve fired it ( just over 900 rounds ). Only grievance is the 10 round mag but i took sand paper to where it was hanging up early on and made that much easier too.

My pros list - Cheap, no lefty tikkas available at time for training
i suppressed it immediately without needing gunsmith
It’s been used introducing new shooters ( my friends 8 year old loved it)
i still carry it in the woods and on property for coyotes / truck gun.
it is a shooter. Ruger somehow struck gold with these

Cons
Feeding issue
Annoying stock
Tikka announced lefty 223 so time for this to either go or stay in safe for friends.

 

[Long84]

I have multiple Gen 1s. Other than a feeding issue from a Ranch model in .350 Legend they have been problem free.

I picked up a Gen 2 in 7mm-08 before deer season this year. Like most it took some time to learn the trick to inserting a loaded magazine with the bolt closed. The trigger adjustment was worthless. I had to cut a round out of the spring to get the pull below 4 lbs.

 

[Gynaroo]

I have a Gen 1, the zipper bolt and inconsistent feeding issues annoyed me, but it always shot absolutely lights out for me. Took some 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper to the bolt, put it in a cheap Trybe chassis and that thing is my favorite gun now. Oh, and swapped out the magazine for a metal Ruger one and haven’t had one feeding issue since. I got it for $32 ish after rebate, the Trybe chassis for $150, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a rifle that out shoots it for $500.

I’m thinking of picking up a 223 Gen II for cheap plinking

The whole bolt or just specific areas?

 

[Weldor]

I have the Genn II in 6mm creedmoor, It shoots as good as my Seekins did. I took on 2 hunt hunts so far, not bad to carry with scope and suppressor. Not super light but it's not worth a grand to me to shave a pound. JMHO. It likes 108 hornady's and 100 spbt. I will replace the trigger at some time but for now it works. I used AICS mags while hunting Red sheep no problems, just give them a slap.

 

[H80Hunter]

The MCarbo spring is a nice upgrade for $20

 

[camelcluch]

My issues starts with the loaded mag. The bolt runs fine while the gun is empty. Once loaded it feels like it’s full of gravel.

 

[KenLee]

What price increase are yall talking about? Can find gen 2 for $550 all day, already chopped and threaded.

5 years ago you could buy gen 1 Ruger American for half that much. I know because I bought 3 and quickly passed them on. Kick worse for caliber than any other new rifle...except maybe a Tikka.

 

[b0nes]

I’ve got a gen 2 predator in 7-08 and it shoots .75 groups from a shoddy rest all day. Suppressed it feels like a 223. The big selling point for me was the removable but stock piece so my wife could use it. I’ve got an SHV nightforce on it and it outshoots my rifles that are 3x the price.

 

[huntsman22]

feed 'em outta AICS.....

 

[Balderdash]

feed 'em outta AICS.....

That scope will get the most out of any rifle.

 

[280Ackley]

I got the Ranch in 556 for the kids to use this year. No feeding issues and bolt functions just fine. With my suppressor it’s like shooting 22lr!! They killed 2 deer with it at 218 and 338 yards with 73 eld-m. Neither deer went more than 30 yards.

 

[kkp005]

They are rough functioning guns but damn they shoot good. They aren’t anywhere near as some or nice as a tikka…… but they are sub $600 guns that are already threaded.
I got a gen2 ranch in 5.56 and it’s consistently sub 1/2” groups with a 6x Swfa.

 

[Paulyester]

The whole bolt or just specific areas?

Whole bolt. The bolt shines like chrome now and is super smooth.

 

[Paulyester]

The MCarbo spring is a nice upgrade for $20

Totally forgot about the spring. Yes I did what I thought I remembered as “The Beaver Spring” off of eBay and that brought the trigger pull to a nice 1.5lbs

 

[camelcluch]

The trigger is actually decent. I haven’t messed with the trigger yet.

 

[Ackley Disciple]

I just posted a thread on how pleased I am with the accuracy of my Gen II Ranch in 6.5 creed.

OP is correct that the bolt feels like gravel, but it shoots as good as anything I own for a really nice price. Makes me want to get it in another caliber.

 

[ewade07]

I have a Gen 1, the zipper bolt and inconsistent feeding issues annoyed me, but it always shot absolutely lights out for me. Took some 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper to the bolt, put it in a cheap Trybe chassis and that thing is my favorite gun now. Oh, and swapped out the magazine for a metal Ruger one and haven’t had one feeding issue since. I got it for $32 ish after rebate, the Trybe chassis for $150, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a rifle that out shoots it for $500.

I’m thinking of picking up a 223 Gen II for cheap plinking

where did you find the metal magazine? i have a gen 1 .270 whose mag sucks!